An interview with Global Citizen Yusuf Sharif Wilson

1.) You've lived in the UK. How long were you there?

I spent a total of 6 months in the UK. I did a study-abroad program as an exchange student at Middlesex University in London. It was my first time out of the country and, needless to say, the experience changed my life.

2.) What brought you to live there?

Serendipity at work I imagine. I remember seeing a random post on a board at University of South Florida for people to teach English in China. My first thought was, "Wow! We can do that?" I had no previous context of the numerous possibilities of studying, working, or living abroad. It was a crucial turning point of my life path as I had begun to recognize the possibility of travel beyond the borders of the United States. Once that seed had been planted in my mind I was never the same person.

After investigating the teaching English abroad option, I simultaneously discovered the study-abroad option and it was a better fit. I started researching what I needed to do to manifest this opportunity (This moment was also a key point in my journey in that it was one of the first times I, without knowing at the time, successfully exercised living with intention). I don't totally recall what lead to my choice of England but I was an English Literature major so going to England made perfect sense. London represented a very hip and happening city so that was the icing on top.

3.) How did that experience affect your life?

The experience impacted my life in more ways than I could articulate or even ever fully understand. There was the obvious introduction to a world that I had only previously known through books and television. Leaving all I had ever known to go and experience another culture was a euphoric and yet humbling experience. I was blessed to come across many different cultures, energies, people, ways of living, being, and thinking that I hadn't any exposure to prior. I remember seeing Big Ben for the first time and recognizing I was standing in front of an almost mythological image that I had seen throughout my life. I strongly believe experiences like that have the potential to speak to one's soul and you can never be the same person when you have experiences like that. That's why travel and experiencing new things are so important. For one's continuous growth.

Another major way I was impacted was the realization that there was an entire world outside of the United States. I instantly became a lot more aware of world events. Living in the US can cause one to have a limited way of seeing because we're so isolated. You tend to have tunnel vision in regards to where you live because it's your natural tendency to focus on your immediate environment. Traveling expands your horizon and creates a larger lens and context through which to view your world. Spending time in England and filtering different and numerous viewpoints made me a much more open person. It gave me a frame of reference for the world that I could never have garnered through books or television. It's an experience that you have to do in order to fully embrace the dynamic.

Surprisingly, I became a lot more cognizant of my national identity. I had often felt like a second-class citizen living in the US because of the pervasive and sometimes hostile climate towards people of color. Yet, in England, I found myself getting into discussions with English students where there was this intense criticism of Americans. It was the first time I was exposed to the notion that many people outside of the US didn't like Americans. I found myself examining their positions and recognizing that they were largely judging Americans based off of the American government's foreign policies and other media representations of how American's were. While I found many of their criticisms to have validity, there was also an absence of an examination of the then-current and historical short-comings of England's own government and culture. For example, there was this perception of Americans being generally violent. However there was never any scrutiny brought to the regular mass-violence that was connected to football in England.

The greed (i.e., wanting to control the numerous natural resources in many countries around the world) of the American government was another regular theme that arose in many exchanges. However there was never an examination of The United Kingdom's own participation in that process. I would often remind them that England, in essence, mastered Colonialism and Imperialism like no other country in history at the expense of the many innocent people of their former colonies. There used to be a saying that the sun never set on the British Empire because of their global presence and occupation of territories. As a result, I was becoming much more nationalistic in ways that I never would have anticipated.

Another incredible way I was impacted was by the incredible relationships I cultivated and sustained while there. One of my BEST friends (I actually consider her family at this point) is a woman with whom I studied with at Middlesex University. She lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is Editor and Chief of Marie Claire there. We traveled through the Highlands of Scotland together back during our time at Middlesex. I'm actually in touch with several of my friends from there still. With international travel experiences, one often forms bonds that outlast the usual wear and tear that time offers. I believe there is a rarely explored psychological dynamic present when one travels to a new environment, especially abroad. For some, there's a tendency to be more open, receptive and in tune with the places, people, and experiences one comes across during the journey. Its a very powerful yet severely underestimated notion.  

4.) When did you live in France? Tell us about that experience.

My time in France is another incredible part of my life's journey that is very challenging to articulate the numerous ways I was impacted. After my experiences with the Study-Abroad program, I knew I wanted to travel more and figured it would be best to do it while pursuing my life's goals. So after graduating from University of South Florida, I knew I wanted to pursue a graduate program and doing one overseas seemed like it would be a great opportunity. While I was studying in London, I traveled to Scotland, Ireland, and France. France left an incredible impression on me so I decided to pursue living there. I took French I, II, III and Conversational French as it was part of the requirement in order to get a work permit. Again, in retrospect, the process of moving to France was another incredible example of living with intention that I didn't recognize at the time.

Living in France played an incredible part of my self-development. I went over with $1,000 (enough to cover expenses for about a month), a work permit, and a strong desire to be there, nothing more. Many would have considered this decision to be absolutely stupid. But it's also a testament that one can do whatever one puts their mind to. Napoleon Hill calls this having a burning desire. The resiliency that is tapped into when one is forced to sink or swim is an amazing phenomenon. It wasn't all peaches and cream, there were definitely some rough times. But I was pursuing a course I had chosen so the moments of challenge were outweighed by my Definiteness of Purpose. I think much of my current optimism comes from my having navigated through those times and the growth that occurred as a result.

My time spent in Paris deepened my earlier lessons and observations of self and my relationship to the world. I was there when France won the World Cup so it was an incredible energy that I was able to be a part of in a country with such a rich cultural legacy. I traveled more while living in France visiting numerous locales (both major cities and the country provinces) within Belgium, Italy, Spain, Greece, and Switzerland. I had memorable and soul altering experiences in all of them. I was fortunate to be able to tap into the power of travel and haven't looked back since. I'm an addict in the best sense and look forward to seeing and experiencing more of the world throughout my lifetime.

5.) Do you see yourself as potentially living abroad again? if so, where would you go?

Absolutely. Returning to France is definitely in play for me at some point. Even if its just spending a few months out of the year there. I've also considered Asia as well after having traveled to several countries on the continent. I haven't been to enough countries yet though to make an informed decision so I'm excited about visiting the future prospects. I'll be touching down in Africa very soon and have a strong interest in participating in philanthropic initiatives there.

6.) Any advice to others looking to live or study abroad?

Absolutely. Do it as much and as often as you're able.  There are a tremendous amount of resources and mediums to assist one in studying, working, and living abroad. Go to your school's Study-Abroad office and speak with someone about potential options. Study-Abroad programs are excellent opportunities to experience other cultures while studying. For those that are not in school, look on the internet or at local libraries to see the ways it can be done. One of the best ways to start researching is by talking to people who are doing it or who have done it for further insights.

The Four-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris is a great resource with tons of references for travel and living abroad. The potential for growth and enhancement is limitless. With the inevitable interconnectedness to the rest of the world, there are exceptional benefits to experiencing other cultures both academically or professionally. However the greatest benefit is to the psyche and one's being. Traveling is not for everyone. I've met people who went abroad and prefer the confines of their towns or neighborhoods. To each their own. But if you feel called to seek the experience, by all means, do it and don't let anyone tell you it's not a good idea.

Yusef is a co-founder of wearablesermon.com

 #StudyAbroadBecause

Elizabeth Kelsey is the Family Travel in Asia and Europe Editor for Wandering Educators. You can read more of her work at http://www.sattvicfamily.net/